The Official Student Newspaper of Indiana University South Bend

Menu

Caps, gowns and more: What seniors need to know for spring commencement

Highlights from the 2013 IUSB Commencement Ceremony at the Joyce Center Field House.(Photo provided)

By: ASHLEY KATLUNStaff Writer

Graduation may seem far away for most IUSB students, but for graduating seniors the 2014 commencement ceremony is just around the corner, which means it is time to order caps and gowns.

One misconception students have about cap and gown rental is that they don’t need to order through IUSB’s vendor, as long as the material and colors match.

According to Kelly Eberhart, assistant alumni director at IUSB, this is not true.

“They have to order through Herff Jones because that is who we are contracted with, so everyone is uniformed and looks alike,” Eberhart said.

The only way for the alumni office to know a graduating student is going to walk in the commencement ceremony is by ordering the cap and gown through the IUSB vendor, Herff Jones.

Once a student completes the order their name will be added to the walk list, which can be accessed through the alumni website. The walk list will be updated once a week as additional orders come in, and students should check the list to make sure all their information is correct.

“That is how they know they ordered correctly. They need to really look at their degree because sometimes they choose the wrong degree. It will list your name, if you’re getting an associate degree, bachelor or master and what degree it is in, the subject area,” Eberhart said.

Each school uses a different color tassel to identify students within their school of study, so it is important for students to make sure the correct degree is listed next to their names on the walk list.

All caps and gowns must be ordered online through the Herff Jones website by March 14 to avoid a $75 late fee. The absolute last day to order caps and gown rentals is March 28. Orders can be picked in the IUSB bookstore beginning April 28.

Students with difficult names to pronounce can call Randall Colborn, the announcer of the commencement ceremony, to give the correct pronunciation of their names.

Eberhart said on the day of commencement, graduating students should enter the Joyce Center carrying their caps and gowns and leave all personal items, such as purses, in their car or with family.

Of the 1,056 students who are expected to graduate this year, about 600 to 700 are expected to walk in the commencement ceremony. For these students, commencement signals the end of a long hard journey and acts as a step into the next phase of their lives.

“It’s a big event when you walk across the stage and your name is called,” Eberhart said. “It’s your accomplishment and your celebration. It’s really a big moment,”

The 2014 Commencement will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, in the Joyce Center Field House at Notre Dame. Students should arrive no later than 5:15 p.m. at gate 10.